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2008 Stellafane Convention Telescope Competition
All of the Telescopes Entered in the Competition
Winners of the Optical & Mechanical Competition

Convention attendees can enter their home-made telescopes in the Optical and/or Mechanical competition. Awards are given for best Optical Performance [Small Newtonian 12.5" and under; Large Newtonian over 12.5"; Compound Optical System] and for several Mechanical Categories [mechanical design, workmanship, innovative component, junior (under 16), special (for items that are not complete telescopes)]. The optical competition was completed on Friday night; the Mechanical Judging was done on Saturday.

The optical judges for 2008 were: Rick Hunter (head judge), Junie Esslinger, Alan French*, David McGaw, and Don Schwarzkopf.

The mechanical judges for 2008 were: Chris Houghton (head judge), Brian Lula, George East*, Mario Motta, Wayne Hilliard, Jeff Lowe, Dave Kelly, Mathew Marulla*,  and Dave Kelly.

* Judges who are not members of the Springfield Telescope Makers

The judging administrative team for 2008: Iliana Filby, Joyce Sinnot and Jay Speigal.

Below you will see up to four pictures of each telescope entered in the competition (fewer if we have less than four available, in some cases I received no photos of some entered telescopes, especially true of some optical only entries that were not available in daylight for photography) and basic information about the telescope and maker, including any awards won. Listed in order of entry.

Photos by the Springfield Telescope Makers: Dave Tabor & Ken Slater


Entry 01 Entry 01 Entry 01 Entry 01
  • Name: Allen Hall  &  Richard Parker
  • From: Ellington, CT  &  Tolland, CT
  • Instruments: Two 16" f/16.5 Classical Cassegrains on GEMs
  • Entered: [01] Optical & Mechanical
  • Award: 1st Place Compound Optical
  • Award: 1st Place Mechanical Design
  • Award: 1st Place Craftsmanship
  • Award: Innovative Component:
                 Novel 9" Thrust Bearing
Entry 01 Entry 01 Entry 01 Entry 01

    Entry 02 Entry 02
  • Name: Robert P. Horton
  • From: Foster, RI
  • Instrument: 6" f/6 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [02] Optical & Mechanical
  • Photos by Dan Lorraine & Lloyd Merrill

Entry 03 Entry 03 Entry 03 Entry 03
  • Name: Adam Miller
  • From: East Hartford, CT
  • Instrument: 8" f/6 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [03] Optical & Mechanical
  • Award: Junior Award

      Image Not Available
  • Name: Jay M. Scheuerle
  • From: Philadelphia, PA
  • Instrument: 6" f/5 Newt
  • Entered: [04] Mechanical
  • Apparently did not attend judging

      Image Not Available
  • Name: Jay M. Scheuerle
  • From: Philadelphia, PA
  • Instrument: ?
  • Entered: [05] Mechanical
  • Apparently did not attend judging

Entry 06 Entry 06 Entry 06 Entry 06
  • Name: John Novak
  • From: Chiefland, FL
  • Instrument: 32" f/3.8 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [06] Mechanical
  • Award: 3rd Place Mechanical Design
  • Award: 3rd Place Craftsmanship

Entry 07 Entry 07 Entry 07 Entry 07
  • Name: Jeff A. Parenteau
  • From: Gilsum, NH
  • Instrument: 8" f/7 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [07] Optical & Mechanical
  • Award: 1st Place Optical (Tie) Small Newtonian
  • Some photos by Entrant

Entry 08 Entry 08 Entry 08 Entry 08
  • Name: Doug K. Luoma
  • From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  • Instrument: Binocular Chair
  • Entered: [08] Mechanical

Entry 09 Entry 09 Entry 09 Entry 09
  • Name: John J. Symborski
  • From: Pottstown, PA
  • Instrument: 6" f/6.4 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [09]  Optical & Mechanical
  • Award: 1st Place Optical (Tie) Small Newtonian

  Entry 10 Entry 10 Entry 10
  • Name: David M. Groski & Tom Harding
  • From: Hockessin, DE & Wilmington, DE
  • Instrument: 6" f/8 Newt-Springfield
  • Entered: [10] Optical & Mechanical
  • Award: 1st Place Antique Restoration
  • Award: 2nd Place Optical (Tie) Small Newtonian

Entry 11 Entry 11 Entry 11 Entry 11
  • Name: Ross D. Sackett
  • From: Memphis, TN
  • Instrument: 12.5" f/5 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [11] Mechanical
  • Award: 2nd Place Mechanical Design
  • Award: 2nd Place Craftsmanship

Entry 12 Entry 12 Entry 12 Entry 12
  • Name: Joseph F. Dechene
  • From: Nashua, NH
  • Instrument: 6" f/5 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [12] Optical & Mechanical
  • Award: 3rd Place Optical Small Newtonian

Entry 13 Entry 13 Entry 13 Entry 13
  • Name: Andrew Warner
  • From: Harvard, MA
  • Instrument: Binocular Mount
  • Entered: [13] Mechanical

Entry 14 Entry 14 Entry 14 Entry 14
  • Name: Francis J. O'Reilly
  • From: Brewster, NY
  • Instrument: 8" f/6 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [14] Optical & Mechanical

      Entry 15
  • Name: Scott A. Sulham
  • From: Wells River, VT
  • Instrument: 8" f/6.89 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [15] Optical

Entry 16 Entry 16 Entry 16 Entry 16
  • Name: Julie Tabor
  • From: Randolph Center, VT
  • Instrument: 4.25" f/7.8 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [16] Optical & Mechanical

Entry 17 Entry 17 Entry 17 Entry 17
  • Name: Bernard B. Kosicki
  • From: Acton, MA
  • Instrument: 8" f/5.3 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [17] Optical & Mechanical

Entry 18 Entry 18 Entry 18 Entry 18
  • Name: Andrew S. Johnson
  • From: Newton, MA
  • Instrument: 8" f/5.45 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [18] Optical
  • Award: 2nd Place Optical (Tie) Small Newtonian
  • Some photos by Entrant (with son Ben)
    and Jeff Parenteau

Entry 19 Entry 19 Entry 19 Entry 19
  • Name: Roger Greenwood
  • From: Milford, MA
  • Instrument: Binocular Chair
  • Entered: [19] Mechanical
  • Award: Special Award

Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20
  • Name: Michael Jean
  • From: Orange, MA
  • Instrument: 8" f/6 Newt
  • Entered: [20] Mechanical

Entry 21 Entry 21 Entry 21 Entry 21
  • Name: Chris Greeley
  • From: Norwell MA
  • Instrument: Compound Telescope
  • Entered: [21] Mechanical

Entry 22 Entry 22 Entry 22 Entry 22
  • Name: David Sliski
  • From: Lincoln, ME
  • Instrument: 5" f/18 Alvin Clark Restoration
  • Entered: [22] Mechanical
  • Award: 2nd Place Antique Restoration

Newt = Newtonian Reflector; Dob = Dobsonian Mount;
GEM = German Equatorial Mount; Ball = Ball or Hemispherical Mount

Back to the 2008 Convention Page

Page last revised on Thursday, 2017-Sep-07 10:43:08 -0400